Buddhism: E-books & Source Texts

Buddhism: E-books & Source Texts

This is a comprehensive collection of e-books and source texts on Buddhism (1)

Modern works

A Buddhist Bible by Dwight Goddard (1st ed.) [1932] This anthology has had a huge influence on the spread of Buddhism in the English-speaking world. An edited (but not watered-down) collection of key Zen documents, a favorite of Jack Kerouac. These are modern (early 20th century) compilations of the Buddhist Canon by Paul Carus, and are suitable for casual readers who want to get a sense of what Buddhism is about: Buddha, the GospelandBuddha, the Word101,164 bytesIndian Fairy Talesby Joseph Jacobs [1912] This collection of Indian folklore, retold for younger readers ‘of all ages’, includes many stories from the Jataka, a Buddhist compilation of fables.

Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbit [1912] This is another a collection of Jataka stories, fables about previous incarnations of the Buddha, usually as an animal, retold for younger readers. These are collections of files harvested from the Internet on these popular Buddhist topics: Tibetan Buddhism: Archives, Zen Buddhism: Archives and Journal Articles about Buddhism. This is a much beloved short poem about the relationship between Buddhism and ecology, written by one of the ‘beat’ era poets, which is funny and profound at the same time. The Smokey the Bear Sutra by Gary Snyder.

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Southern Buddhism

The Dhammapada and The Sutta Nipâta, Dhammapada tr. by Max Müller; Sutta-Nipâta tr. by V.Fausböll [1881] (Sacred Books of the East, vol. 10) Buddhist Sutras Translated from Pâli by T.W. Rhys Davids [1881] (Sacred Books of the East, Vol. 11) Vinaya Texts (Part I) Translated from the Pâli by T.W. Rhys Davids and Herman Oldenberg. [1881] The Pâtimokkha and The Mahâvagga, I-IV. (Sacred Books of the East, Vol. 13). The Questions of King Milinda translated by T. W. Rhys Davids Part I (SBE35) [1890] Part II (SBE36) [1894] Dialogues of the Buddha (The Dîgha-Nikâya) Translated from the Pâli by T.W. Rhys Davids; London, H. Frowde, OxfordUniversity Press [1899] Volume II of the Sacred Books of the Buddhists. Buddhism in Translations by Henry Clarke Warren [1896] This is a often-cited scholarly anthology of translations of key Theravada Buddhist documents. The UdânaTranslated by Dawsonne Melanchthon Strong [1902] (Redacted by Chris Weimer) Psalms of the Sisters by Caroline A. F. Rhys Davids [1909]

The Religion of the Samurai by Kaiten Nukariya [1913] This book focuses on Northern (Mahayana) Buddhism, and Zen Buddhism in particular. It includes a wealth of detail as well as very lucid explanations of Zen Buddhist concepts. Manual of Zen Buddhism by Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki. [1935] Suzuki is one of the most popular 20th century writers about Zen Buddhism. This book is an anthology of texts relating to Zen. Includes the famous ‘Ox-Herder’ illustrations. Zen for Americans by Soyen Shaku, translated by Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki. [1906] A collection of essays on Buddhism, includes The Sutra of Forty-Two Chapters.

Mysticism, Christian and Buddhist by Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki. [1957, not renewed] Suzuki compares and contrasts Buddhism with Meister Eckhart’s mystical outlook. Gleanings In Buddha-Fields by Lafcadio Hearn [1897]. The Nō Plays of Japan by Arthur Waley [1921]. Translations of a selection of Nō dramas, which have deep connections with Japanese Buddhism, Shinto, and Japanese folklore. KAKUZO OKAKURA The Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura 108,498 bytes. This book discusses the aesthetics of the Japanese Tea Ceremony, and its connection to the Japanese world-view as a whole. The Ideals of the East by Kakuzo Okakura [1904] Learn about the evolution of Japanese art and its relationship to Buddhism.

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(1) Source texts and E-books on this page are provided courtesy of Theology101.org